UA announces cancellation of fraternity pledgeship

Assistant Dean of Students Lowell Davis announced the cancellation of University of Alabama fraternity pledgeship today at 12:30 p.m. in a meeting with Interfraternity Council fraternity presidents. Davis stated fraternities should begin initiation of new members as soon as possible.

“No hell week is to take place and, I quote, if hell week does take place, there will be hell to pay from the University of Alabama,” Davis said. “So please, understand that we take any allegation seriously and that we will not continue to let anything happen as it revolves around pledgeship here at the University of Alabama.”

Davis said the University will send out a press release around 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon outlining allegations that have been phoned into the hazing hotline. Organizations that have met with Judicial Affairs, Davis, or the director of Greek Affairs about hazing hotline allegations will be named in the press release.

“Anything that has come across our desk, as well as confirmed allegations, as well as possible sanctions for members,” Davis said of what will be included in the press release. “Names are not mentioned, but the organization will be mentioned, as well as what has happened to those individuals.”

Davis said that some fraternities require fall semester grades to come in before they initiate new members, but Greek and Student Affairs will continue to work with organizations to make initiation happen.

“Different organizations have different rules on initiation, so we understand that,” Davis said. “We want to work with those organizations; however, please remember that you’ve turned in pledge programs, so we know when and if you can initiate your guys at this point.”

In a 1:30 p.m. meeting with pledge class presidents, Davis reiterated that pledgeship was cancelled for the semester and that the possibility of spring pledgeship would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

“As we continue to monitor pledge programs and initiation processes for organizations this year, we will convene a group of individuals to figure out what the pledge programs will look like next year,” Davis said. “Pledgeship is over. This is a final decision from our vice president of student affairs, it is final. It is over effective of 1 p.m. today. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it.

Davis said fraternities will be able to conduct initiation and rituals in their houses, but an advisor must attend all ritual events.

A press conference is planned to take place at 4 p.m. on the steps of the Rose Administration Building. Follow @CW_Live and @TheCrimsonWhite on Twitter for live updates.

“There is a new day at the University of Alabama, a new president, and we cannot allow the things that have possibly taken place in the past to continue to happen,” Davis said.